The Fifty-Fifth Scene: Two Letters XV

"Antitina, you open it." Brando looked at the box and spoke.

Antitina froze for a moment before reacting. She studied her lord carefully, feeling somewhat moved, then gently nodded.

She placed her hand on the cold iron box and forcibly suppressed her excitement. In a low voice, she chanted the incantation, each syllable slipping from between her soft lips, deep and clear. The lock seemed to be lifted by an invisible hand, then quietly slid open before finally clanging onto the ground. She drew a breath and slowly lifted the lid. Beneath it was a layer of waterproof oilcloth. Under the oilcloth were three tightly bound packages, each wrapped in the same kind of material. A letter lay atop the packages, and the wax seal bore the same emblem they had seen earlier.

Only after receiving a signal did Antitina open the envelope. She carefully read the letter from beginning to end. Its contents were much the same as the will: If someone else found this inheritance, he hoped the discoverer would divide it into three portions. The finder could inherit the most substantial portion, while the two smaller portions and some miscellaneous items would be left to Antitina and Saidi, so that they would at least have something to rely on, and as a keepsake as well. The letter also contained some words for Antitina, mostly expressing the hope that she would be happy and forgive him, her irresponsible father. After Adviser Miss read the final sentence, she held the letter in both hands for a long while without saying a word. Her head hung low, and her thick eyelashes trembled faintly like feathers.

Brando and Freya exchanged a glance behind her. The future Valkyrie's eyes were full of sympathy, and she almost wished she could take Adviser Miss's